Louisiana State Troopers conducted a traffic stop on Interstate 12 near Interstate 55 in Tangipahoa Parish Wednesday morning. During the stop, Troopers found more than 15.5 kilograms of cocaine with an estimated value of $450,000.00.

Shortly after 10 a.m., a Louisiana State Trooper stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation. During the course of the traffic stop, Troopers became suspicious of suspected criminal activity.

While searching the vehicle, Troopers recovered a semi-automatic handgun and 15.5 kilos of cocaine worth over $450,000.00 concealed in an aftermarket compartment within the vehicle.

The driver, 51 year old Michael Mendez of Houston, Texas was arrested for felony possession of cocaine over 400 grams and possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance.

LSU physicists at the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory or LIGO in Livingston, LA were some of the first scientists to directly detect gravitational waves (ripples in space and time) and light from the collision of two neutron stars, according to the university. The discovery was made on August 17 using LIGO, the Europe-based Virgo detector, and 70 ground and space-based observatories. RELATED: A look at the Livingston research facility that helped scientists w...

LSU physicists at the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory or LIGO in Livingston, LA were some of the first scientists to directly detect gravitational waves (ripples in space and time) and light from the collision of two neutron stars, according to the university. The discovery was made on August 17 using LIGO, the Europe-based Virgo detector, and 70 ground and space-based observatories. RELATED: A look at the Livingston research facility that helped scientists w...